Following on from a very successful 2009 where Jason and his team gained promotion from Division 3 to Division 2 expectations were high of the new incoming captain. This was my first full season back since 2001 and the burden of my past successes lay heavily on my ageing shoulders. My fears vanished after a very convincing win against Pyewell Park who finished 3rd in Div 2 the previous season. The season turned out to be a success bearing in mind we were pushing for promotion going into August. Sadly two disappointing defeats against Langley Manor and Cadnam left us in mid table.

Team selection was particularly difficult as we had a pool of 15 players to select from and in some instances a number of players may have been disappointed in the selection process. In terms of the balance of the side it was clear we lacked seamers to support Fraser once Sam was promoted to the ones and therefore relied heavily on our array of good quality spinners. It was good to see two sixteen year olds opening the bowling and Tom Kitcher also sixteen bowling off spin. The future looks good.

Some highlights for the season.
I will start with Matt McKeever who scored 585 runs at 53.18 and one stand out performance against top of the table Cadnam where we were 12 for 4 he scored 80 of 40 balls and his first three shots of the bowler who had cleaned up our first four batters, were dot,six,six!

150+ opening partnership between Jason Hoskins and Colin Day against Hythe and Dibden,Colin scoring 105 and Jason 70+. Just as well as we totalled 295 and Hythe fell 9 short.

Sam Floyd,16 scored back to back 90s followed up by a 60 he scored 375 runs at 41.67, ended the season in the first team.

Andy Evans 254 runs at 31.75 who travelled down from London most weeks and was rewarded with a 100 against Old Basing.

Jimmy Davies 327 runs at 29.27 a great character to have encouraging all players and if I had to choose one player to have in my team Jimmy is my man.

Robbie Cooper for his debut 50 against Idlers where he so nearly saw us home.

Keith Hammond and Danny O'Connell for their consistent bowling throughout the season 20 and 16 wickets respectively.

Fraser Moon for his 13 wickets opening the bowling and some vital runs at the end of the innings.

Tom Kitcher for his excellent bowling performance at Flamingos grabbing 4 crucial wickets to keep us in the game when we needed it.

Matt Reeves for his all round performance,keeping wicket,batting and in particular a pretty aggressive spell of 2 for 5 against East Tytherley.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dave Payne,David Moon, Lyn Joyce,Sandra Moon for their umpiring and scoring and also Sheila,Beryl and Barbara who helped with the teas and clearing up! Of course a big thank you to Bob Joyce and his ground staff for producing fantastic wickets throughout the season.

Finally with the promotion of the 4ths and the academy and the survival of the 3rds the future looks bright,particularly with the current crop of 2nd team players and the emergence of academy players I will be handing the reins over a new captain next season and I wish them all the success for the coming season and hopefully I can support him on and off the field. 

Jon Floyd